Architectural Acoustics and Noise Control

Everyone has, at least once in their life, been disturbed by ventilation noise. Indeed, since most buildings come with their own HVAC system and since their design sometimes neglects the existence of noise and vibration pollution that may arise from it, encountering such irritating systems is not impossible. In an office or a classroom setting, concentration and production may become difficult. In order to contribute to a quieter working environment, Soft dB’s Acoustic and Vibration division may be brought over to:

• Take HVAC unit sound measurement (AHRI 350, AHRI 575, AHRI 230);
• Predict HVAC noise generated in buildings (ASHRAE, AHRI 885);
• Identify the sources of HVAC, machinery, and plant noise and vibration;
• Assess ASHRAE Guidelines compliance;
• Create the design and specification of measures to control noise and vibrations;
• Create the design or design review of appropriate wall and floor partitions to prevent structure-borne sound transmission and thus, contribute to the soundproofing of the room;
• Test the Sound Power Level (to get equipment AHRI certified);
• Be an Expert witness for HVAC noise disputes.
• Office & Retail Spaces
• Imagine working near the engine room of your company or working while constantly feeling a vibration. At the end of the day, you will feel more irritable and tired than you would working in a serene environment. In order to contribute to such a pleasing work environment, Soft dB’s Acoustic and Vibration division may be brought over to:
• Make acoustic designs and test floors, walls and facades (ASTC, OITC, AIIC, etc.) to verify acoustic insulation;
• Identify the sources of building service (HVAC, machinery, and plant) noise or vibration;
• Design suitable control measures for the identified sources;
• Predict the sound levels throughout the building using an advanced architectural acoustic modelling software (RAP ONE or CATT);
• Assess speech privacy (PI, SPC) and intelligibility (SII);
• Measure the reverberation (echoes) time throughout the building to be able to control it;
• Carry out the alarm and PA audibility testing

Imagine that you are working near a machine room and you constantly feel vibrations. At the end of the day, you will be more exhausted than if you worked in an environment exempt of vibrations and noise pollution. The specialists at Soft dB contribute to improving the work environment in many ways.
Our services include:

• Identifying noise and vibration sources, of acoustic and structural origin, of building equipment (HVAC systems, machinery, etc.);
• Assessing the acoustic privacy (PI) and the acoustic intelligibility (AI) of conversations between individuals;
• Conducting audibility tests of alarms and public address systems;
• Measuring the reverberation time in buildings in order to better control it afterwards;
• Predicting a building’s sound levels using a state of the art architectural acoustic modeling program (RAP-ONE or CATT);
• Designing noise control measures suitable for the identified noise and vibration sources;
• Acoustic design from soundproofing tests of floors, walls and facades (ASTC, OITC, AIIC, etc.) produced in order to assess the soundproofing level of these surfaces.

When going to the hospital, patients generally expect to receive proper care and return home in better shape. For this to happen, the medical staff takes care of many people during the same day and thus, several diagnostics are presented. Since confidentiality is as important as the sick getting rest and the well-being of the staff, the hospital and examination rooms must be sufficiently insulated. If such a problem arises, Soft dB’s Acoustic and Vibration division can in turn present an acoustic diagnostic with the:

• Measurement of architectural acoustic noise and the modelling of sound behavior using advanced mathematical software (RAP-ONE, CATT);
• Measurement of the reverberation (echoes) throughout various environments (wards, halls, consultation rooms, etc.) to be able to determine the optimal reverberation time;
• Suggesting design modifications to be able to control the noise and vibrations (acoustical and structural) coming from building services;
• Creation of facade and partition acoustic designs and testing (OITC, FSTC, FIIC, etc.) to be able to evaluate the wall insulation (inside and/or outside walls) of the building;
• Assessment of speech privacy (PI, SPC) and intelligibility (SII);
• Testing of alarm and PA audibility;
• Acoustical designing of HVAC systems as well as noise and vibration predicting (ASHRAE 170, HTM3).

Where sensitive subjects are being discussed, lawyers, financial advisors or military offices must be sufficiently far away from undesirables so as to not be overheard, yet within hearing distance of the people they are talking to. It’s with that goal in mind that Soft dB’s Acoustic and Vibration division may be appointed to:

• Create the complete acoustic design of the room using an advanced modelling software (RAP-ONE, CATT);
• Identify the sources of building services (HVAC, machinery, and plant) noise or vibration;
• Make the design of suitable control measures for the identified sources;
• Assess speech privacy (PI, SPC) and intelligibility (SII);
• Carry out alarm and PA audibility testing;
• Measure the reverberation (echoes) time throughout the building to be able to control it;
• Make facade and partition acoustic designs and testing (OITC, FSTC, FIIC, etc.) to make sure the sound insulation of the walls and floors are appropriate.

When movie fans head to cinemas to watch a new release, they don’t want to endure building service noises or the sound of the movie next door. They most likely would choose to go elsewhere. To ensure their clients make the most out of the experience, cinema owners target good quality room acoustics and so, may call upon Soft dB’s architectural acoustic services. The same goes for studio soundproofing. As a matter of fact, the sound insulation of studios is very important when recording soundtracks. Thus, Soft dB’s team may be brought over to:

• Create the complete acoustic design and reverberation control within screen rooms, connecting hallways, projection rooms, and foyers using the latest architectural acoustic modelling software (RAP-ONE, CATT.);
• Suggest design modifications to better control the reverberation time in the targeted rooms;
• Auralisation: at the planning stage, provides examples of what a space will sound like post-construction;
• Create an acoustic design to meet certification standards, including sound reproduction and/or reinforcement design;
• Make facade and partition acoustic designs and testing (OITC, FSTC, FIIC, etc.);
• Create a design to ensure the acoustic insulation of building services;
• Carry out alarm and PA audibility testing.